Devoid of hygiene, these wards are housed in dilapidated buildings which need immediate repairs.

With three incidents of rats nibbling at dead bodies at hospitals in Kurukshetra and Kaithal reported within three weeks, the miserable condition of mortuary wards has been exposed.

Devoid of hygiene, these wards are housed in dilapidated buildings which need immediate repairs.

The mortuary ward at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Government Hospital in Kurukshetra hospital is located outside the main building. The walls are cracked, an open invitation to rats. The mortuary has only two wards, though officials say at least four wards are needed to accommodate the ever-increasing number of bodies coming in for autopsy.

Chief medical officer SK Nain said after the two incidents reported within a week, the authorities have taken “required steps” and asked for an explanation from the mortuary in-charge.

On the poor condition of the building, he said: “We have already taken up this matter with the higher authorities. Two more wards will be constructed soon.”

The mortuary ward at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College in Karnal is not any better. The building is in tatters. “The building was constructed when the hospital was set up. Even as the number of bodies coming in has increased manifold, the space and facilities have not seen an improvement,” says ward caretaker Somnath Singh.

The mortuary is also suffering from shortage of sanitation staff. Only two sweepers are deputed here, even as at least 10 bodies arrive here every day.

Deputy medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Yogesh Sharma said: “The new building is being constructed and the mortuary will be shifted there soon.”